#WrestleNice

LIVE BLOG: Henri Deglane Grand Prix of France (Day Two)

Saturday, January 16, 2021 - 09:01 By Eric Olanowski

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The second day of wrestling at the #WrestleNice Henri Deglane Grand Prix of France is headlined by Olympic champions Vladimir KHINCHEGASHVILI (GEO) and Kyle SNYDER (USA), along with reigning three-time world champion Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO).

WATCH: Henri Deglane Grand Prix of France 

Match Order + Brackets

9:48: That'll do it for today's coverage. We'll see you back here on Sunday morning for Greco-Roman action. Wrestling begins at 10:00 and no 10:30 as previously reported!

9:46: Magomed RAMAZANOV (RUS), the lone Russian entered, proved to be too much for Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL) to handle, as he scored the 6-4 win en route to the 86kg title.

9:38: Last, but not least! It'll be Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL) and Magomed RAMAZANOV (RUS) who'll close out the freestyle portion of the competition. They'll wrestle in the 86kg finals. 

9:37: Nika KENTCHADZE (GEO) laced his way to the 11-0 win in the 79kg finals against Saifedine ALEKMA (FRA). He is the fourth Georgian wrestler to win freestyle gold on Saturday.

9:33: Another American youngster claims gold. This time, it's Nick SURIANO (USA) who defeated Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE), 7-1, in the finals of the 57kg bracket.

9:26: Diakomihalis closed out his dazzling day with a 5-0 win over two-time world medalist James Green. In addition to that win, the American youngster also downed world and Olympic champion Vlad Khinchegasvili. 

9:21: We're moving over to Mat B for the all-American final at 65kg between James GREEN and Yianni DIAKOMIHALIS.

9:18: I'm not sure what the coaching staff said to Snyder after he trailed, 3-2, but it worked. The Olympic champion scored 12 unanswered points and claimed America's second gold of the night with a 14-3 final score in the 97kg finals. 

9:14: Great action in the opening period of the 97kg finals between Snyder and Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO). The American hold the 6-3 advantage heading into the final period.

9:08: Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO) keeps things rolling for Georgia, as he grabs the 70kg gold medal with a 10-0 win over Mihail SAVA (ROU). There have been four gold awarded and three of them have went to a Georgian wrestler!

8:55: Lomtadze easily take the 61kg gold with an 8-1 win over Musaev. That'll bring up Georgian big man and three-time world champion, Geno Petriashvili. He's wrestling Robert BARAN (POL) for the 125kg gold medal. 

8:47: Out with one reigning world champion and in with another. Reigning 61kg Beka Lomtadze is making his way to Mat A for his finals match against Ayub MUSAEV (GER).

8:44: Dake is the 74kg champion after Tlashadze injury defaulted out of the 74kg finals. 

8:39: Here we go! Two-time world champion Kyle Dake will kick off the finals on Mat A. He'll wrestle Daviti TLASHADZE (GEO) for the 74kg gold medal.

8:23: The freestyle medal matches are about to get underway! They'll get started after the match on Mat A wraps up.

As the semifinals keep rolling, I'll update the finals list. 

Finals Results
57kg: Nick SURIANO (USA) df. Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE), 7-1
61kg: Beka LOMTADZE (GEO) df. Ayub MUSAEV (GER), 8-1
65kg: Yianni DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) df. James GREEN (USA), 5-0
70kg: Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO) df. Mihail SAVA (ROU), 10-0
74kg: Kyle DAKE (USA) df..Daviti TLASHADZE (GEO), via injury default
79kg: Nika KENTCHADZE (GEO) df. Saifedine ALEKMA (FRA), 11-0
86kg: Magomed RAMAZANOV (RUS) df. Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL), 6-4
92kg: --
97kg: Kyle SNYDER (USA) df. Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO), 14-3
125kg: Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) df. Robert BARAN (POL), 7-2

6:09: What a statement win for rising star Yianni Diakomihalis. The American moved into the 65kg finals with an impressive 12-2 win over Olympic champion "King Vlad" Khinchegashvili. He'll wrestle fellow American, James Green, in tonight's 65kg gold-medal match.

6:04: Reigning world champion Beka Lomtadze is wrestling in the 61kg semifinals on Mat A. He's taking on Germany's Viktor LYZEN.

5:59: Olympic champ "King Vlad" Khinchegashvili is wrestling Yianni Diakomihalis on Mat B.

Two-time world champion Kyle DAKE (USA) is headed to the 74kg finals. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

5:50: Dake just threw Gadzhiyev to his back for the fall with a massive Dake Bomb. That pin earns him a spot in tonight's 74kg finals.

5:48: Dake and Gadzhiyev are up first. The American scored an exposure via a crotch lift from an Azeri shot. He leads, 2-0.

5:43: I know..I know. When are the semifinals going to start? I promise, the wait is almost over. One more match on each mat and the semifinals will get underway.

5:24: Three matches left on each match and we'll right into the semifinal matches.

5:07: The first semifinal match is on the board. It'll be two-time world champion Kyle DAKE (USA) and  Khadzhimurad GADZHIYEV that'll kick things off. They'll be up in six matches on Mat A.

3:08: I wonder what the message was for Gwiazdowski at the break! The big man scored one point in the opening period, but bolted out ten second-period points and defeat Jere HEINO (FIN), 11-0. He'll wrestle in the 125kg semifinals later tonight.

2:52: Mat A is going to be the place to be for the next half hour or so. Here are some stars who are coming up:
Bout 41: NICK GWIAZDOWSKI (USA): Two-time world bronze medalist 
Bout 43: Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO): Three-time world champion
Bout 45: Kyle SNYDER (USA): Olympic champion

2:47: World champion Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO) is taking on Evghenii VOLKOV (ROU) over on Mat A.

2:39: Switzerland's Tokyo Olympian Stefan REICHMUTH (SUI) is coming up in three matches on Mat D. He finished the '19 World Championships with a bronze medal and became the first Swiss wrestler to ever win a world medal. 


Three-time world champion Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) warms up for his semifinal meeting with Kamil KOSCIOLEK (POL). (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Semifinal Matches (As the quarterfinals wrap up, I'll continue to update)
57kg
SEMIFINAL - Thomas GILMAN (USA) vs. Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE)
SEMIFINAL - Nick SURIANO (USA) vs. Beka BUJIASHVILI (GEO)

61kg}
SEMIFINAL - Viktor LYZEN (GER) vs. Beka LOMTADZE (GEO)
SEMIFINAL - Ayub MUSAEV (GER) vs. Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA)

65kg
SEMIFINAL - James GREEN (USA) vs. Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE)
SEMIFINAL – Vladimer KHINCHEGASHVILI (GEO) vs. Yianni DIAKOMIHALIS (USA)

74kg
SEMIFINAL - Daviti TLASHADZE (GER) vs. Joshgun AZIMOV (AZE)
SEMIFINAL - Kyle DAKE (USA) vs. Khadzhimurad GADZHIYEV

86kg
SEMIFINAL - Stefan REICHMUTH (SUI) vs. Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL)
SEMIFINAL - Dato MARSAGISHVILI (GEO) vs. Magomed RAMAZANOV (RUS)

125kg
SEMIFINAL – Robert BARAN (POL) vs. Nick GWIAZDOWSKI (USA)
SEMIFINAL – Kamil KOSCIOLEK (POL) vs. Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO)

2:02: Reigning world champion Beka Lomtadze is coming up next on Mat A.

1:57: What an impressive performance by American youngster, Nick SURIANO. He tallied a flawless 7-0 win over European Games champion Mahir AMIRASLANOV (AZE).

1:47: Gilman closes out the match on a 6-0 run and moved into the semifinals with the 6-2 victory over Arujau.

1:44: Gilman fell behind early but after six unanswered points, he leads Arujau, 6-2.

1:38: Americans Thomas Gilman and Vitali ARUJAU are squaring off on Mat B for a spot in the 57kg semifinals.


Olympic champion Vladimir KHINCHEGASHVILI (GEO) is in the 65kg semifinals after scoring a 6-1 win over Semisor. (Photo: Tony Rotundo)

1:35: Khinchegashvili moves into the semifinals with a 6-1 win over Semisor.

1:12:  World and Olympic champion Vlad Khinchegashvili is coming up in three matches on Mat B. He'll wrestle Alexander SEMISOROW (GER) for a spot in the 65kg semifinals.

1:11: Jams Green moves into the semifinals with a dominant 11-0 shutout win over Olympian Agustin Destribats.

1:03: The quarterfinals are underway on Mat A. Two-time world medalist James Green and Tokyo Olympian Agustin Destribat will kick the round off.

12:47: The quarterfinals will get started in  six matches on Mat A and three matches on Mat B.

12:16: And there's your upset of the day, and arguably the upset of the competition. Givi Matcharashvili takes out Olympic champion Sharif Sharifov, 8-3, and plays 97kg bracket buster.

12:12: Scratch that! Sharifov challenged the last exchange and won. He trailed 4-2, but has since picked up a step out, so he heads into the second period down by one point.

12:06: An upset is brewing over on Mat B! Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) is leading Olympic champion Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE), 6-2! 

11:51: Solid start for the Olympic champion. Snyder only needed five minutes to score the 11-1 smothering win over Erik THIELE (GER).

11:33: How about this lineup for upcoming wrestlers on Mat A?
Bout 15: Petriashvili: Three-time world champion
Bout 17: Kyle SNYDER (USA): Olympic champion 
Bout 19: Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE): Olympic champion 

11:27: One of the world's best is coming up next on Mat B. Reigning three-time world champion Geno PETRIASHVI (GEO) will wrestle Johannes LUDESC (AUT).

11:15: Reigning world champion Beka LOMTADZE (GEO is making his way to Mat A.


World silver medalist Thomas GILMAN (USA) started his day with a 4-0 shutout win over two-time European champion Giorgi EDISHERASHVILI (AZE). (Photo: Tony Rotundo)

11:08: That wasn't the best showing for Edisherashvili. Gilman controlled the entire bout, shutting the Azeri down completely. The American moved into the next round with a 4-0 win.

10:55: You're not going to want to miss the next match on Mat B. It'll be two-time European champion Giorgi EDISHERASHVILI (AZE) wrestling world silver medalist Thomas GILMAN (USA).

10:46: Olympic champion Vladimir KHINCHEGASHVILI (GEO) is wrestling now on Mat B.

10:42: Dake makes quick work of Jonathan ALVAREZ (ESP) and moves into the quarterfinals with an 11-0 win.

10:30: Two-time world champion Kyle DAKE (USA) is coming up next on Mat A.


Agustin DESTRIBATS (ARG) scored six unanswered points against Nikolai OKHLOPKOV (ROU) and claimed the 6-4 opening-round win. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

10:26: There's your comeback of the morning. Destribats trailed 4-0, but scored six unanswered second-period points to defeat Okhlopkov, 6-4.

10:19: Nikolai OKHLOPKOV (ROU) leads Tokyo Olympian Agustin DESTRIBATS (ARG), 4-0, over on Mat A.

10:14, That's how you want to kick things off if you're Jame Green. He cruised to a 12-1 opening round over France's Marwane YEZZA. 

10:11:And just like that, we're rolling! James GREEN (USA), the two-time world medalist, is up first on Mat B.

10:09: Sorry for the delay, wrestling fans. We're fixing a small streaming issue that should be fixed within the next few minutes.

#JapanWrestling

Olympic champ Fumita joins Ono as late withdrawal from Emperor's Cup

Wednesday, December 17, 2025 - 07:42 By Ken Marantz

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TOKYO (December 17) -- Five days after former world champion Masanosuke ONO made the stunning announcement that he was pulling out of the Emperor's Cup All-Japan Championships, another high-profile star aborted a long-awaited return to action by joining him on the sidelines.

Olympic champion Kenichiro FUMITA announced Wednesday on the eve of the tournament that he was withdrawing due to an injury, keeping him out of what would have been his first tournament since his triumph at the Paris Olympics.

Fumita, who won the Paris gold at Greco 60kg but was entered at 63kg, made the announcement on his X account. Without disclosing the injury, he said it "was not a major injury that will have an effect on my wrestling career, but I feel it is not worth the risk at this time so I decided to withdraw."

The Emperor's Cup is also serving as the domestic qualifier for the 2026 Asian Championships, and as the first of two national domestic qualifiers for this year's World Championships and Asian Games. The latter holds particular significance in that Japan will be hosting the event.

Fumita, the silver medalist at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and a two-time former world champion, had only competed at 63kg once in his career, at the 2023 German Grand Prix, where he placed second as a warmup for the World Championships, where he took home the silver.

The 30-year-old was due to take the mat on Thursday, the first day of the four-day tournament at Tokyo's Komazawa Gym.

"I deeply apologize to everyone who was looking forward [to seeing me] and to all those involved [with the tournament]," Fumita said. "I will make the utmost effort to be in top condition and be able to perform at the next competition."

Last Friday, Ono announced that he had withdrawn for health reasons, a move that indefinitely delays his return to the mats of his native country.

Ono revealed on social media that he had been diagnosed with a kidney problem, possibly linked to cutting weight to get down to 57kg, according to a report by Japan's top wrestling website Wrestling Spirits.

Ono has been competing at either 61kg or 65kg in recent years, and the stress of getting down to 57kg might have taken too big a toll. Ono said that he had gotten near 57kg the previous week when he experienced thickening of the urine, which can be regarded as a sign of dehydration.

Upon consultation with a doctor, it was decided "I will play it safe this time," Ono said.

The 22-year-old Ono has become a worldwide sensation, first by winning the senior world title at freestyle 61kg in 2024 with one-sided victories that included beating a past Olympic gold medalist and the reigning world champion, then for leaving the comfort of Yamanashi Gakuin University for the challenge of competing in American folkstyle at powerhouse Penn State University.

The Emperor's Cup would have provided a rare chance for Ono to compete in a freestyle tournament again, the first step on the path to getting back to the World Championships.

Ono said he will now return to Penn State, where he will resume his introduction into folkstyle. While he is redshirting this year -- the system that allows him to train with the team but not enter official competitions to preserve a year of eligibility -- he plans to enter an open tournament in January.

As pointed out by Wrestling Spirits, the big issue facing Ono now is whether or not he will be afforded a spot in the Meiji Cup All-Japan Invitational Championships in May next year, which will be the second domestic qualifier for the worlds and Asian Games.

As the name implies, the field is limited to invitees, using criteria set by the Japan Wrestling Federation based on results from major competitions over the past year. There are exceptions made for a wrestler who has been out of action for an extended time but has achieved "particularly outstanding results."

In the past, this has been interpreted to mean medaling at an Olympics, as the majority of wrestlers take time off following Olympic success. The question the federation will have to answer is, will a world title in 2024 earn Ono an invitation?

Asked directly by Wrestling Spirits, Kenji INOUE, the federation's chairman of the technical enhancement committee, replied, "At this stage, nothing has been decided."

There is one incentive for the publicity-starved JWF to include Ono in the Meiji Cup field -- it could set up a classic match-up between him and Paris Olympic champion Rei HIGUCHI.

Higuchi has not competed since winning the Paris gold, but has already stated he plans to return at the Meiji Cup with eyes on a first Asian Games appearance.

Ono has not competed in Japan since June 2024, when he participated in the East Japan Collegiate League, a team competition in which he helped Yamanashi Gakuin win the Division I title.

After winning the gold at the Non-Olympic Weight Class World Championships in Tirana in October 2024, he revealed he had been dealing with a broken ankle.

That kept him out of competition for awhile, then early in 2025, he headed across the Pacific to begin training with the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club. In March, he made the blockbuster announcement that he would enroll at Penn State.

Ono had been entered at 57kg at the Bill Farrell Memorial Invitational in New York in November, but was a late withdrawal for undisclosed reasons.

At the Emperor's Cup, Olympic weight classes will be contested over two days in the same format at the World Championships, while non-Olympic weights will be finished in a single day.

Although Fumita will no longer be competing, fellow Paris gold medalist Yuka KAGAMI will be making her return to the mat for the first time since her Olympic triumph at women's 76kg, which gets started on Thursday.